Flywheel type catapult launching means



arch E6, 1954 D. B. DOOLITTLE ETAL FLYWHEEL 'TYPE CATAPULT LAUNCHINGMEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 INVENTORS obr'iziibs Jcuvzey17.

Donald B130 Raymond ATTORNEY March 16, 154

FLYWHEEL TYPE CATAPULT LAUNCHING MEANS Filed Jan. 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet2 lNVENTORkS Donald P .D ool ifi'fi le Pay ZolZdB.Janney H.

ATTORNEY March 16, 1954 D. B. DOOLITTLE ETAL 2, 7 ,396

FLYWHEEL TYPE CATAPULT LAUNCHING MEANS Filed Jan. 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet4 RIBBON ENGAGED CONTROL PANEL RIBBON DISENGAG ED IN VENT 0R5 Dona-IdBhpooliifile PaymondB.-Ialzney 1T.

ATTORNEY 5, 1954 D. B..DOOLITTLE ErAL FLYWHEEL TYPE CATAPULT LAUNCHINGMEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 INVENTORS D00 it i'iie DonaldH. w n n h B M ATTORNEY March 1%, 1954 D. B. DOOLITTLE ET AL FLYWHEELTYPE CATAPULT LAUNCHING MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 5, 1951ATTORNEY March 16, 1 D. B. DOOLITTLE ETAL 2,672,3Q

FLYWHEEL TYPE CATAPULT LAUNCHING MEANS Filed Jan. 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet7 K Raymond B.faluzey 1T.

BY WWL. M

ATTORNEY arch 16,

Filed Jan. 5, 1951 FLYWHEEL TYPE CATAPULT LAUNCHING MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet8 10d MOTOR f 1% 17 f 11 121 P 12s INVENTORS 124 DonaldBJkolififileRaynzOIzdB.Jalzrzey 11.

BY mmrhw ATTORNEY March 16, 1954 D. a. DOOLITTLE EIAL FLYWHEEL TYPECATAPULT LAUNCHI'NG MEANS.

9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 WNN x a @Q INVENTORS DonaldB.Doolil'file RaymondB.hmzeylZ:

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 16, 1954 2,672,306 FLYWHEEL TYPE CATAPULTLAUNCHING MEANS Donald B. Doolittle and Raymond B. Janney II,Wilmington, Del., assignors, by mesne assignments, to All AmericanEngineering Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of DelawareApplication January 5, 1951, Serial No. 204,548

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to the launching of aircraft and moreparticularly to a novel flywheel type catapult launching means.

Heretofore flywheel catapult launching systems usually have involvedheavy and complex structures including accumulators, heavy cylinders,valves, cables, clutches and the like. The prior art systems are clumsy,expensive and because of the complexity of these systems are difficultto service.

The object of vide an eiflcient durable and simplified flywheel typecatapult, which eliminates heavy and complex structures such as referredto above.

Another object is to replace most of the usual complex elements of priorart catapult launchers by using a power driven metal launching ribbon ortape, which transfers stored energy from the flywheel to catapult theaircraft.

Another object is to provide novel means for transferring the storedenergy of the flywheel and the driven ribbon connected with the flywheelshaft, to automatically controlled means for connecting the aircraftwith the launching ribbon.

A more specific object is to provide a novel traveling shuttle memberincluding an aircraft bridle, which shuttle member serves to couple thecatapult ribbon to the aircraft by the bridle for launching.

Another specific object is to provide pilot control means forautomatically causing the coupling between the shuttle member and thecatapult ribbon.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein three embodiments of the inare illustrated. It is to beexpressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and are not to be considered as any specificlimitation of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts inthe several views:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the launching tape or ribbon,the flywheel and power take-off for driving the ribbon and shows anaircraft to be 1 unched coupled to the launching shuttle.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the terminal end of the launchingmechanism and flywheel take-off driving connection with the launchingribbon.

Figure 3 is atop plan view of thepower source for driving the flywheeland of the lower drive the present invention is to pro-v means of theflywheel power take-off for driving the launching ribbon.

Figure 4 is a detail of their supporting means Figure 5 is a of thelaunching shuttle, particularly the brakes Figure 10 is a side elevationview of one em-.

bodiment of the flywheel drive and the power take-off for driving thelaunching ribbon.

ribbon.

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the flywheel and ribbon drive wheels ofFigure 11.

Figure 13 is another embodiment of means for driving the launchingribbon.

Figure 14 illustrates a power source wheel connecting arrangement forthe ment illustrated in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a third embodiment of the launching ribbon drive laminatedbelt with rollers held in contact with the ribbon by pressure cylinders.

Figure 16 is a side view in elevation of the lower reach of thelaunching ribbon and a tensioning means for the ribbon actuator beltshown diagrammatically in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a cross section view taken on the section line l'l-ll ofFigure 16.

Referring in detail to the drawings and first with particular referenceto Figures 1 and 7 there is shown a power driven launching ribbon ortape [8. The ribbon is preferably made of metal and is looped aroundsheaves I9 and 20 in endless chain fashion to provide upper and lowerreaches and flyembodi- A and B, respectively. The lower reach B of theribbon passes between actuating rollers 2| and 22'.

Roller 2| is mounted on a power shaft 23 with a flywheel 24 and therollers 2i and 22 are pressed together by suitable means such as thehydraulic cylinders 25 and 26 to provide a power take-off from theflywheel 26 to drive the steel ribbon l8 in the direction indicated bythe arrows in Figure 1.

The steel. ribbon alsopasses over idler sheaves 21 and 23g adjacent eachend of thelower reach. B to take up any undesirable slack of the ribbon.Also, as shown in Figure 4 there are provided. auxiliary ribbonretaining rollers 21 for each idler sheave.

The length of travel of the ribbon i8 may bedetermined by the type ofaircratttobe. launcher-1,, the power generated and the.v amount. ofenergy stored and dispersed by the flywheelld; power unit is shown inmore: detail in Figure 3', wherein there is an engine 29, of suitable,horsepower for driving the shaft 23 on which, as stated supra, ismounted the flywheel 2d and the lower roller 2| of the launching; ribbonactuating mechanisnr. It is oi course. to ,be understood that. the driveshaft 23 is journall'edtorotate in stand.- ards or. hangars 3.5}; suchasshown in Figure}; and Elaine 9,- These standards with theflywheel and:the engine as are. countersunk below the level of any suitable basesurface C, see Figures? and 10.. On. this base surface structurescomprising, elongated. beams 3t and 32 arranged in spaced, apartsubstantially parallel relation, Each beam is formedv withanupperandlower flange. 33 and 3dand the lower flange {a of; each beamis. anchored to the-surface C means. such as the nuts 35 and bolts 35,while the upper flange 33 or" eachbeam supports a guiderail. Eon examplabeam it supports the. guide raiIBI and beam-.32; the guide. rail. 38,Eachrail is suitably secured to the flange of. its respectivebeambyfasteners 3s...

The upper, an lower reachesA. and. the launching ribbon Hi travelbetween. the clon gatedbeams 3i .andtl as the energy stored by theflywheelfld is released to. drive the same- Straddling the upper reach.A of. the launching ribbon lfi is a launching shuttleducomprisinga,huS-= ing forrned with-side grooves iii. and ll m whichgroovesjfit. the opposedgedges of guide rails and; 381. Normally theshuttle ddisireelyslidable alongthe guide rails. independentlyof the.launch ing ribbon It, but there are means to couple the shuttleto thelaunchingv ribbon, such asfluidactuated platessor brake shoes &3andllfihone on. each side of the, ribbon.

In Figures 5 and 6 .the shuttle til. isshown. in more detail andincludes a plurality of upper and lower brake, shoes 43 and M .in thehousing which is divided into separate brake chambers bypartitionsformed with interconnected fluid ducts. Brakeshoes d5 are movable, whileshoes at. are fixediandform the bottomwalls of the housing- The housingcontains brake fluid. above movable shoes 43 andthe top part of thehousing communicates with the end of a cylinder it through-openings 58?and 48'. In the. cylinder 46 is a piston rod 4?, apiston 49 anda coiledspring 59. One endof the spring 5%? abuts the head'of the piston and theopposite end abuts the reduced end .5 I .of a threaded plug 52. The plug52 threads in a threaded bore formed in the end of the cylinderandisheld to various adjusted positions by. a lock nut 53. Theadjustment of the plug controlsthe tension forces of the. spring 50,which is sufilcientlystrong when released .or fired to. force fluid'fromthe cylinder throughthe openings. and 48. into. the top of the beam.housing to.

C. aremou-ntedside apply the brake 43. The application of the brakes 43to the travelling launching ribbon 18 couples the shuttle 4B thereto.

Remote control means for releasing the spring is mounted on a controlpanel 55, see Figure 8. The panel 55 includes an off and on togglefiring switch it for closing an electric circuit. to a solenoid; 51'supported by a bracket: 53'; The solenoid includes a core plunger 59formed with a latch end 69 and an opening for a manually releasablesafety pin 60? connected by an electric cable 53 to light means 6-3 and63 on the panel 55. The latch end 60 of the plunger normally is biasedby a spring, not shown. into locking engagement with..a.detent. 6:] inthe surface of a bumper bolt 62 formed from the end of the piston rod3'! of the piston as.

The. lights. Iiii and 63 on the panel, marked Safe and Armed, indicatewhether the plunger, 52;. is locked mechanically by the safety pin, 68.The purpose of thepin, 5B, is to insure that even.- though someone-mightaccidentally pushthe firing switch, 58,, the; catapult will notbeactuated. The lights are actuated by an automatic switch not shownwhen pin is in or out of place. Switch, 56, energizes the solenoid,which leads the brakes 43-, and thus catapults the airplane. The switchas, energizes a circuit hydraulic cylinders of the flywheel powertakeoffs, to thereby determine whether or not the ribbon is engaged ordisengaged to the flywheel drive.

The piston rod 43 is .reciprocated from the end of the cylinder asthrough a stuffing box or packing 64 and the end of the bumper bolt.projects forward of the front end of the-shuttle t9. When the plunger 59is releasedirom detent. Siby: thee-6- tuation of the firing switchdt'after release ofthe; firing pin tc' and energization of the solenoid,thespring 50 forces the bumper bolt forward with the piston 49 and rod41. As the piston 59 comes forward the fluid in the cylinder is forcedinto the upper part of the; brake housing and; the upper reach Act thelaunching ribbon l8 is gripped by; the several brake shoes A3; and 44.Also lever GA on panel 55 is turned to indicate that the ribbonisengaged. This causes the shuttle to travelforward along the guiderails 3-1 and 38 to the endof the launching track where the end ofthebumper bolt strikes a bumper block 65, see Figs. 1 and 2 and retractsthe same to again latch the plunger 59 in the detent 6i and a new firingpin 6Q" is inf serted to hold; the parts secure. Then, as shown inFigure 1, there is a. retrieving unit 56 connected, to the tail-end ofthe shuttle 495, which retriever is rewound to return the shuttle tolaunching position. Such a devicetfiis shown and described in U. S.Patents Nos; 2,5i83,655, issued, October;

4, 1940 to Arthur P; Shultz' and No. 2,i0l,997, issued March 28, 1950,to Donald R. Doolittle.

The shuttle 40 includes arearwardlyupwardly extendingbridle oriyose 61with a tow hook 6.8.. The hook B8 connectswith a-bridle cable B9, whichconnects or is fastenedto the front of an air-- craft 1a which straddlesthe beams 3i and-32 with its landing wheels C, below which. the flywheelis mounted so as .to have the ribbon and shuttle only slightly above thesurface to permit theaircrait undercarriage to straddle the guide rails.

In all forms of the present invention the launching ribbon, the shuttleand the ribbon sheaves are. thesame;-

flywheel drive and power take-off for driving the ribbon I8.- There 1is-show-n the. launching. sutnot shown te-the;

H resting on-the surface Howevenin Figure l0 there is shownanother-specific embodiment of face with a motor 12 and a flywheel I3countersunk therein. A power transmission I4 connects the motor to theflywheel shaft I5. The shaft I extends through the hub of the flywheeland has keyed to the end a gear I6. The gear I0 meshes with a gear I1keyed to an axle I8 journalled to revolve in bearings of spaced apartstandards 19 and 80. A launching ribbon drive wheel 8I is keyed torotate with the axle I8 and connected to the top of each one of thestandards 19 and 80 is a hydraulic cylinder, namely, cylinders 82 and83, respectively. Projecting upwardly from each cylinder are piston rods84 and 85 formed at their respective ends with an opening and bearing tojournal the ends of an axle 86.

The axle 86 has keyed thereto an idler wheel 81, which is pulled withconsiderable force into pressing engagement with the ribbon I8 restingon the first or lower drive or power take-off wheel 8|. Each wheel BIand 8'! is covered with a com pressible material such as rubber toprovide-a friction grip and drive for the ribbon passing therebetween.For example, the flywheel drive and power take-off wheels are shown inuse with the launching ribbon I8 in Figures 11 and 12. The side beams 3|and 32 and guide rails 31 and 38 of Fig. 7 for the shuttle 40, not beingshown in these figures to simplify the drawings.

A third form of launching ribbon actuator or power take-off isillustrated in Figures 13 and 14. This form comprises a flywheel 90,motor 9I, a suitable automatic transmission 92 and a flywheel driveshaft 93 journalled to rotate in standards 94 and 95. The flywheel shaft93 is contrally journalled in the standards as shown in Figure 13 andhas keyed thereto between these standards a drive gear 96 rotatable inan anticlockwise direction. The gear 96 meshes with two relatively largering gears 91 and 98 formed from wheels 99 and I00 keyed to be rotatedin clockwise directions with their respective axles II and I02journalled between and at each end of the standards 94 and 95.

The top corner edge of each standard 94 and 95 is formed with aperturedlugs I03 and I04, respectively. Mounted over these lugs are the spacedapart apertured ears or bifurcated base connections I05 and I06 oflaterally spaced pairs of actuator or pressure cylinders I III-I 01 andI08I08. The cylinders may be hydraulic and include pistons, not shown,connected to laterally spaced pairs of piston rods III--III and II2I I2.The extended end of each piston rod IIlIIl is employed to support abearing to journal an axle I I3 on which is keyed a wheel II 4 and ringgear I I5 complementary to wheel 99 and ring gear 91, while the extendedend of each piston rod II 2--I I 2 is similarly enlarged at each end tosupport bearings to journal an axle I IE on which is keyed a wheel II!and a ring gear II8 complementary to wheel I00 and ring gear 98.

The ring gears I I5 and I I8 are in mesh with the complementary ringgears 91 and 98, respectively, and the gears and rim surfaces of thewheels are held in pressed contact with each other by the actuatorcylinders I Ill-I91 and I08-I08. Extending between the rim surface ofthe wheels is the launching ribbon I8, said ribbon being relativelythicker than the depth of the teeth of the ring gears 9'I-I I5 and 98-II8, to thereby permit the rims of their respective oppositely mountedwheels to frictionally engage the said ribbon and as the wheels arerotated by the drive gear 96 on the flywheel shaft launching ribbonspindles I2I 93 they serve to drive the ribbon in the direction of thearrow shown in Fig. 13. Thus the shuttle 40 when the brake shoes are, aspreviously explained, actuated to grip the launching ribbon it will becarried forward to effect the launching of an airplane connected to thebridle 68 thereof. The rims of these ribbon drive wheels may be coveredwith anti-slip means to reduce slippage.

A third form of launching ribbon actuator or power take-off is shown inFigures 15, 16 and 17 and comprises a plurality of aligned idler rollersI20 of Nylon, Neoprene or the like mounted on journalled in thebifurcated apertured ends I22 of piston rods I23 projected from fluidcylinders I24. The cylinders I 24 are supported on the top of an angleiron I25, see Fig. 17, and an endless belt I26 is driven over theserollers I20 by a flywheel driven sheave I21. The

sheave I 21 is mounted on a flywheel shaft I28. The endless belt I26loops at the opposite end around a sheave I29 mounted to revolve on thebridge of a U-shaped bracket I30 comprising part of a belt tensioningmeans I 3I.

Above the endless belt I26 are opposed idler rollers I32 journalled inan inverted angle iron support I 33 on axle I34. Between the rollers I32and the belt I28 extends the lower reach of the I8 and due to thepressure of the actuator cylinders I24 and belt I26 and rollers I32provide a very efllcient launching ribbon drive from the flywheelpowered sheave I21.

OPERATION The use and operation of the several embodiments is basicallythe same. For example, to'launch an aircraft parked on the runway withits undercarriage straddling the catapult mechanism, the shuttle bridleis connected to the front of the aircraft. Next the engine for drivingthe flywheel and flywheel shaft is started, to thereby drive thelaunching ribbon I8 by any one of the take-off or actuating arrangementsdescribed. The ribbon is kept in motion to eliminate the necessity ofaccelerating the ribbon during the catapult operation. The ribbon passesthrough the disconnected catapult shuttle and between the brake shoes inthe shuttle until the arming pin 60' is released. The airplane is nowready to be catapulted by energizing the solenoid 57, whereby the spring5| is released to load the hydraulically or pneumatically actuated brakeshoes or plungers 43. The thrust created by the braking load of theshuttle I8 on the ribbon I8 catapults the airplane.

As the bar 62 on the shuttle contacts thebuffer at the end of the track,the brakes and catapult bridle are automatically disengaged and theshuttle can then be safe-tied and retrieved by the retriever 66 for thenext catapult operation.

While only three specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbeforeset forth, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not tobe limited to the exact and described because various modifications ofthese details may be provided in putting the invention'into practicewith the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an aircraft launching system having a power driven endless ribbon,a shuttle straddling said ribbon, longitudinally extending guide railsin spaced apart parallel relation on each side ofthe ribbonpsaid railsconstruction illustrated serving as guides for" an ass the shuttle, abridle connected to said shuttle for ned with-a hook; abridle cablehaving; one; end engageablewith said hook and the other endsecured to anaircraft'tobe launched; and

brake means carried by; the shuttle; adapted to grip the ribbon toimpart-launching thrustv to the aircrait; a bumper at the terminal end,0;; the said shuttle guide rails, and means' carried bythe leading endof said shuttle'positioned to strike the bumper andrelease the brakemeansafterthe aircraft islaunched.

2. In an aircraft; launching apparatus with a power driven ribbon apower driven endiess steelfl ribbon supported for rotation ona sheavheat each end loop thereof; power taigewfi means for driving s aidribbon;a shuttle straddi ing said ribbon longitudinally extending guide railsin spaced apart parallel relation-,oneach side Qi'the,

ribbon, said rails serving as guides for, the shut:

tle,- a bridle connected to, said shuttle, formed; with a hook, a bridlecable haying oneend en o s ee l h a d o k nd the t e and secured to anaircraft t beIaunched; and 'bralge;

means carried by the sh tt l e adagfedto grip. the ribbon to impartlaunching thrust to, the aircraft, a bumper atthe ter ninai end of gtheut e osit o ed tr ke. he winner nd; e-

a e he l kfii means at 3 1? a med 32 .2 Jed.

st-name m ans wanna e ded. Pia a las o. nap nto. sa d: riest 9 aid: akesin released position, and remotely controlled, solenoid for retractingsaid pin from the said detent.

3. ln an aircraft launching system of the class scri d vi ,v an, n l sst rib o pported for travel; on asheave at each end loop thereof; a,shuttle st raddiing said ribbon, grooves,

iorrnedon each side of-the shuttle longitudinally extending guide railsin spaced aoart; Parallel relation on each side of; the ribbon theopposed edges oisaidrailsservingas guides for the shut-V tle grooves, asupporting surface forsaid rails, a bridle yoke formed with a, hookcarried by said shuttle a bridle cable having one end con,- nected with,said shnttle and the other end secured to, an aircraft straddling therails andparkedon thesupp orting surface to be launched;v

brake means oarried-by the shuttle adapted, to be actuated to grip theribbon to impart launch ingthrust to the aircraft from the travel of"said ribbon, and means, at the terminal-- end of" the said; rails torelease said brakes 'I nr the ribbon after launching an aircraft;released; from the bridle hook.

4, In a flywheeiytyne catapult aircrafitlaunching system, an endlesssteel ribbon su ported for travel on a sheave at each endloop thereoi;flywheel power-take-oftmeans for driving said face of'theribbon therebyclamping it tightlyagainst the driven; roller.

5. In a flywheel tyne catapult aircraft launching system; an endlesssteel ribbon supported for travel on a sheave at each end loop thereoiyfiy; e new ramon e s or, d i in said bb n a. uttle. ri en, yv said; ibons rat; means arxi dwhy heshu tlefadaa ed o e ter hing tuated to, ripthe; ribbon to, m f l fi o launc thrustitoi he, ntrainment he; id;ribbq.

air ra t lau ml i ie 1 aididetentr.

it is driven by, said fly flywheel take ofi means comprising a, driven,

ribbon engaging'member, a second-idler memher also engaging; said ribbonon the sidethereof; opposite, to said driven member, and; fluidpressermeans adapted to iorce ShlidSBQOlld'jlflBIIibe; against; thesurface of the ribbon thereby am ne t ght y a ainst th vdr en memberi':Launch ng. ea s' r imrai om ri inean s e e, an. lon ated. pain i iiilievails n e li aba t. para e r lati n; monhiedi n.tne.seid; r aceha.launchng, huttle re y, s da l al ne, h ra s sai huttl n: lusiinaa housin ntining flui lauluraliiy o p s tely, iacng; brake shoes. mounted.-

the

eusius, en less. steel; ribbon xt nding; be-

tweenthel nbbsed; ak shoes. said brake. sh s.-

normally b ino e e s di mm heisur ac i. he bbon. ower. means for aus ngid ribbonitor 9 travel. betri entbe br k whi e h at rs ele ed..

whereb efi ut l ei an aircra tommute ma bn di r n v e shu le; flu p esun zme -ns o ap ly a d: bra swhe r ll n ibbon thereby o ling uttleeretd-.mo na the hut e alon e ai s o; o a a rcr ft up ed; r dlean ake relase; me nsf t: aill a tlaunc ingendof the. said rails.

7. n hi e ea f r irc aitc mnr ine an; airc ftnchi a ur aee an longated;nai of uide ails spa ed part aral e e a ion ou n d on; e dur a ai aunchia sh t le: ly suda ne e; aid shu tle. n-

l i g; amus n n ainineflu di. a plur litwoi;

npns iebc a i g; rake: ShQfi mounted: in: the; 7 ou ineh, a d e s; teeri o m ndine h tween;tberoe edibrake-sme wa U normally bein released; m;he-su face? ofz the b p w r m fo a-ca in saidcribbonto:

tra el-betw en t en 85 whilethey are eleasedz wh rebrtbe shutt eiismhnain rafitconnect-ine ridleh; th h ttl fluid-, pres u e: means: for: anlying; said? brakes,- to; the travelling ribbon thereby coupling theshuttle-theretoandzmoving the: shuttle: along the rails to tow. anaircraft 7 coupledito its bridle, brake-releasemeans-at the aircraftlaunching. end-:of the-said rails, flexible means connected to saidshuttlenormally coiled inaoasing secured-to the startingend of the saidrails; saidmeans uncoiiing as-theshuttle-ispickedupby the travelling--ribbon and power means to recoil said flexible means thereby returning;the" shuttle aitereach aircraft launching; operation.

8. Inan aircraft launching; system having a 5 power drivenendless steelribbon supported for rotation on a sheave atleach, end loop thereof; ashuttle. tr dd ing ai i on qneiiudinally xten in uide ra s. s ac d apa tuar llel e ati n et c ide. he. i bonu aid a ls rvice gui es or he,huttieiar r e on.-

neoted to said shuttle formed with a hook, a bridle,

ab evhayins pa ac e ea ebl piw th said hook idths, the end! se uredmoan. aircraft. to. be 1aumhe .and. ake means er ie ibya e-s uttle debtedori he ribb n: to mpar aunchina thrust to; the aircrait abumner; at thevterminal, end of thesaid raiis, and, mfianacaniad thev adin d of! s id,shuttle pos ioned; t strik he.bumnerandreleas th sbrelsemeansadetent: mdn sa d asknemedi ensias ina oadedi p n, dante me nto aid detect and l ckaiqr nakesi in r l ased pos t a} remotel o 1 91 e 9 en id: errsretrae ingsa in nz om he x, mm" his: mtable:

wheel, take-ofi means, said verse the said solenoid latch pin forlocking said solenoid pin against movement whether said solenoid isenergized or not, said pin when in or out of connection with thesolenoid pin serving to complete circuits to a pair of lights mounted ata remote point marked Safe and Armed, respectively.

9. Means for launching an airplane of the character described having apower driven belt, the upper reach thereof being spaced between a pairof longitudinally extending guide rails in spaced parallel relation oneach side of the belt; a launching shuttle comprising a housing formedwith side grooves, said grooves being in engagement with the edges ofsaid guide rails, said housing being shaped to straddle the said upperreach of the belt, upper and lower brake shoes supported within thehousing, the lower shoe being adjacent the under side of the upper beltreach and the upper shoe being adjacent the top side of the said upperbelt reach, a yoke connected to the shuttle 10 housing formed with anaircraft bridle hook, and fluid brake applying means adapted to movesaid shoes into engagement with each side of the upper reach of thebelt.

DONALD B. DOOLITTLE. RAYMOND B. JANNEY II.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 371,599 Lane Oct. 18, 1887 ,6 0, 5 Roan Mar, 15, 19271,892,357 Moe Dec. 27, 1932 2,217,946 Dondero Oct. 15, 1940 2,240,947Wilson May 6, 1941 2,375,449 Unger et a1 May 8, 1945 2,483,655 Schultzoct. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS N umber Country Date 817,237 France May 6,9

